San Jose

Located in the Central Valley, Costa Rica’s busy capital city has seen most of its colonial architecture destroyed by earthquakes, so now it consists of nondescript modern buildings, with a few exceptions such as the old market and the National Theatre. The gold and jade museums are well worth a visit; otherwise there is not much to detain one. When necessary to overnight here, we tend to use hotels on the city’s outskirts.

Finca Rosa Blanca

Costa Rica’s original boutique hotel, designed in a Gaudi-esque style with various grades of rooms and villas, all individually designed and creatively decorated. Good views over the Central Valley, a pool and imaginative cooking complement the décor and personal family-run ambience.